Combined water cut and salinity meter

ABSTRACT

Disclosed is a flow meter and method for measuring water cut and salinity of a multiphase mixture. The water-cut meter includes a conduit configured to receive the multiphase mixture, and a probe array configured to measure a cross-sectional area of the conduit. The probe array includes a plurality of coaxial probes connected in parallel. Optionally, the probe array is configured to operate at a single high frequency, for example, 1 to 3 GHz, to minimize conductivity loss relative to capacitance. The flow meter further includes a processor configured to transmit a signal to the probe array and to receive a reflected signal from the probe array using a single channel. The processor is further configured to calculate the water cut and the salinity of the multiphase mixture based on a single complex permittivity of the multiphase mixture calculated from the received reflected signal.

RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a divisional application of U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 13/661,941, filed on Oct. 26, 2012, which claims priority toU.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/552,646, filed on Oct. 28,2011, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in itsentirety.

BACKGROUND Field of the Invention

Embodiments of the invention relate to a flow meter or a water cut meter(hereinafter collectively referred to as a “flow meter”) for measuringwater cut and salinity levels of a multiphase mixture, and moreparticularly to a flow meter including a coaxial probe array whichdetermines in real-time the presence of multiphase flow in a mixture andwater cut and salinity levels of a multiphase mixture having a highsalinity concentration.

Description of the Related Art

Real-time water cut and salinity measurements of multiphase mixtures arehighly demanded by daily operations for both reservoir management andproduction allocation in the oil and gas industry. Conventional flowmeters are limited by water cut measurement ranges and the level ofsalinity found in multiphase mixtures. For example, reservoir andcompletion brines are commonly observed to have salinity levels greaterthan the salinity of sea water, which typically has a salinity level ofabout 35 parts per thousand (ppt). In some cases, the salinity level ofreservoir and completion brines range from about 100 ppt to about 200ppt, and has been observed at a saturation concentration of 360 ppt.Connate water has also been commonly observed to have salinity levelsgreater than the salinity of sea water. In some cases, the salinitylevel of connate water has been observed at around 200 ppt.

The measurement of permittivity (i.e., relative dielectric constant) isa means for estimating the aqueous phase(s) of a multiphase mixture. Inparticular, permittivity measurement using capacitance or microwavesensors is a common process for estimating water cut and salinity of themultiphase mixture. Capacitance is observed to increase between a pairof electrodes as the amount of water between the electrodes increases.The effect of increasing the salinity of the water in a multiphasemixture is to introduce a parallel conduction path between theelectrodes which inhibits a measurement of capacitance at lowfrequencies where the imaginary component of permittivity exceeds avalue of 300. Thus, capacitance-based water cut measurements areobserved to fail at high levels of salinity. As a result, salinityvariation causes the inaccuracy of water cut measurements, preventingwell production optimization within the capacity constraints ofproduction facilities.

Electromagnetics sensors have been designed to more accurately measurethe water cut or water-in-liquid ratio (WLR) of multiphase mixtures(e.g., oil-water or oil-water-gas multiphase fluids, as non-limitingexamples). In some industrial and scientific applications,electromagnetic coaxial probes have been used to measure water cut inboth single phase and multiphase mixtures encountered in oilfields,based on the principle that the measured complex reflection coefficient(i.e., ratio of reflected signal to the incident signal) is dependent onthe aperture impedance (i.e., complex permittivity) of a sample materialterminating the probe.

One such sensor includes a single microwave, open-ended coaxialreflection probe which measures the permittivity and conductivity of amultiphase mixture and combines the measured mixture permittivity andconductivity with a known or derived relationship between brine waterconductivity and brine water permittivity to estimate the on-line brinewater conductivity of the mixture. The probe is mounted at an opening ofa production pipe wall, and thus only measures a small subset of theoverall cross-section of the production pipe (i.e., a small measurementarea of the permittivity and conductivity of the multiphase mixture).

Another such sensor includes one or more open-coaxial probes, operatingat about 1 GHz, arranged along the diameter of, or affixed to a columnin, a production pipe. Each probe detects an amplitude and a phase of areflected signal for identifying single phase and multiphase mixturesbased on the differences between the real part of each mixture's complexpermittivity. Each probe requires a set of electronics to measure thecomplex permittivity of the respective mixture.

In order to effectively optimize well production within the constraintsof production facilities, flow meters providing more accurate water cutand salinity measurements for multiphase mixtures having high salinityconcentrations will need to be developed for the oil and gas industry.

SUMMARY

Embodiments of the invention are directed to a flow meter for measuringwater cut and salinity of a multiphase mixture and for detectingmultiphase flow in a mixture for well production in the oil and gasindustry. In particular, provided herein is a flow meter for measuringthe water cut and salinity of a multiphase mixture having a highsalinity level. In certain embodiments, the flow meter includes a highfrequency, coaxial probe array having a plurality of probes combined inparallel that is collectively driven by a single set of driverelectronics. In accordance with certain embodiments of the invention,the flow meter determines, in real-time, the presence of multiphase flowin a mixture and measures water cut and salinity levels of themultiphase mixture across a cross-sectional area of a productionconduit.

In accordance with an embodiment of the invention, there is provided aflow meter, which includes a conduit configured to receive a mixture,and a coaxial probe configured to operate at a dual frequency ofexcitation to minimize conductivity loss relative to capacitance. Thecoaxial probe is configured to measure an average complex permittivityof the mixture from a first area in front of the coaxial probe at afirst frequency and an average complex permittivity of the mixture froma second area in front of the coaxial probe at a second frequency. Inaccordance with this embodiment of the invention, the first area issmaller than the second area and the first frequency is greater than thesecond frequency. The flow meter further includes a processor configuredto transmit a signal to the coaxial probe and to receive a reflectedsignal from the coaxial probe using a single channel. The processor isfurther configured to determine the presence of multiphase flow in themixture based on the complex permittivity measured at the first andsecond frequencies. In some embodiments, the processor is furtherconfigured to normalize the complex permittivity measured at the firstand second frequencies with respect to systematic variance as a functionof frequency. In some embodiments, the processor is further configuredto determine the presence of multiphase flow in the mixture by comparingthe complex permittivity measured at the first and second frequencies.In some embodiments, the coaxial probe is further configured to operateat frequencies ranging from 1 to 3 gigahertz. In some embodiments, theprocessor is further configured to adjust a propagation delay throughthe coaxial probe. In some embodiments, the dual frequency operation ofthe coaxial probe comprises at least one of a low frequency modulationand a frequency demodulation to measure different areas of the mixturein front of the coaxial probe.

In accordance with another embodiment of the invention, there isprovided a flow meter, which includes a conduit configured to receive amixture, and a coaxial probe configured to measure an average complexpermittivity of the mixture by performing a frequency sweep ofexcitation of an area of the mixture to measure dispersion of themixture as a function of frequency. The flow meter further includes aprocessor configured to transmit a signal to the coaxial probe and toreceive a reflected signal from the coaxial probe using a singlechannel. The processor is configured to determine the presence ofmultiphase flow in the mixture based on the average complexpermittivity.

In accordance with another embodiment of the invention, there isprovided a method for detecting multiphase flow in a mixture. The methodincludes the steps of receiving a mixture, and measuring, using acoaxial probe, an average complex permittivity of the mixture from afirst area in front of the coaxial probe at a first frequency and anaverage complex permittivity of the mixture from a second area in frontof the coaxial probe at a second frequency. In accordance with thisembodiment of the invention, the first area is smaller than the secondarea and the first frequency is greater than the second frequency. Themethod further includes the steps of transmitting a signal to thecoaxial probe, receiving a reflected signal from the coaxial probe, anddetermining, using a processor, the presence of multiphase flow in themixture based on the average complex permittivity measured at the firstand second frequencies. In accordance with this embodiment of theinvention, the signal is transmitted and the reflected signal isreceived using a single channel between the coaxial probe and theprocessor.

In accordance with another embodiment of the invention, there isprovided a method for detecting multiphase flow in a mixture. The methodincludes the steps of receiving a mixture, and measuring, using acoaxial probe, an average complex permittivity of the mixture byperforming a frequency sweep of excitation of an area of the mixture tomeasure dispersion of the mixture as a function of frequency. The methodfurther includes the steps of transmitting a signal to the coaxialprobe, receiving a reflected signal from the coaxial probe, anddetermining, using a processor, the presence of multiphase flow in themixture based on the average complex permittivity. In accordance withthis embodiment of the invention, the signal is transmitted and thereflected signal is received using a single channel between the coaxialprobe and the processor.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

So that the manner in which the features and advantages of theinvention, as well as others which will become apparent, may beunderstood in more detail, a more particular description of theinvention briefly summarized above may be had by reference to theembodiments thereof which are illustrated in the appended drawings,which form a part of this specification. It is to be noted, however,that the drawings illustrate only various embodiments of the inventionand are therefore not to be considered limiting of the invention's scopeas it may include other effective embodiments as well.

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a flow meter including a probe arrayfor measuring an impedance characteristic of a multiphase mixtureflowing through a conduit, in accordance with an embodiment of theinvention.

FIG. 2 is a graph showing permittivity ration (bla) as a function ofincreasing frequency at a fixed temperature T=60° C. for salinitiesdetermined according to certain embodiments of the invention.

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of a quad geometry flow meter including aquad geometry probe array for measuring an impedance characteristic of amultiphase mixture flowing through a square-shaped conduit, inaccordance with an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of a probe array flow meter including amulti-coaxial probed probe array for measuring an impedancecharacteristic of a multiphase mixture flowing through a cylindricalconduit, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of a probe-grounded flow meter including aprobe array for measuring an impedance characteristic of a multiphasemixture flowing through a conduit, in accordance with an embodiment ofthe invention.

FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram of a single probe flow meter including asingle coaxial probe operating at two frequencies for measuring animpedance characteristic of a multiphase mixture, in accordance with anembodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Although the following detailed description contains many specificdetails for purposes of illustration, it is understood that one ofordinary skill in the relevant art will appreciate that many examples,variations, and alterations to the following details are within thescope and spirit of the invention. Accordingly, the exemplaryembodiments of the invention described herein are set forth without anyloss of generality, and without imposing limitations, relating to theclaimed invention. Like numbers refer to like elements throughout. Primenotation, if used, indicates similar elements in alternativeembodiments.

Embodiments of the invention are directed to a flow meter (i.e., a watercut meter) including a coaxial probe array that can be utilized with avariety of AC measurement methods in a high frequency range to determinewater cut and salinity of a multiphase mixture based on an impedancemeasurement, for example, a single complex permittivity of themultiphase mixture. The device functions at levels of salinity whichwould preclude the functioning of conventional capacitance water cutmeters. The coaxial probe array, in accordance with certain embodimentsof the invention, may be integrated as an in-line device, where aplurality of probes can be connected in parallel around thecircumference of a conduit, for example, a 3.5″ production tube, formeasuring properties of a multiphase mixture across a cross-sectionalarea of the conduit. In accordance with an embodiment of the invention,the plurality of probes in the coaxial probe array are collectivelydriven by a single set of electronics (i.e., electromagnetictransmission of signals to and from the coaxial probe array occur over asingle electronics channel). Embodiments of the invention are alsodirected to a flow meter including a coaxial probe array that determinesthe presence of multiphase flow in a mixture based on the averagecomplex permittivity of the mixture.

As used herein, the term “multiphase” shall be used to describe amixture including multiple components, such as oil-water, oil-water-gas,water-solids, as non-limiting examples. The term “conductivity” shall beinterchangeable with equivalent terms, such as “resistivity”, as anon-limiting example. The term “permittivity” shall refer to a valuerelative to a vacuum, which may be commonly referred to as a dielectricconstant. The term “complex permittivity” (also commonly referred to as“complex relative permittivity”) shall refer to a complex value with itsreal part or component being related to permittivity and its imaginarypart or component being related to permittivity loss (i.e., conductivityloss through the multiphase mixture). The term “conduit” or “productionconduit” shall be used to describe a wellbore through which productionfluids are produced (i.e., travel).

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a flow meter including a probe arrayfor measuring an impedance characteristic of a multiphase mixtureflowing through a conduit, in accordance with an embodiment of theinvention. As shown in FIG. 1, flow meter 100 is provided for measuringwater cut and salinity of a multiphase mixture. In accordance with anembodiment of the invention, the flow meter 100 includes conduit 110 toreceive the multiphase mixture, and probe array 120 to measure across-sectional area of the conduit 110. One of ordinary skill in therelevant art would understand that the conduit discussed below for thevarious embodiments of the invention can be constructed in any shapeand/or size commonly used in the oil and gas industry (e.g., a 3.5″diameter production conduit used in a wellbore for petroleumproduction).

According to certain embodiments of the invention, the probe array 120includes a plurality of coaxial probes 130 connected in parallel, aswill be discussed in more detail below. It should be noted that, whileFIG. 1 illustrates only one coaxial probe 130 of the probe array 120,various embodiments of the invention may include different geometries(i.e., two or more coaxial probes 130) for the probe array 120, as willbe discussed in more detail below and illustrated at least in FIGS. 3and 4.

Each coaxial probe 130 can have an open-ended or closed design and canmeasure the dielectric properties of the multiphase mixture over a rangeof radio and microwave frequencies, for example, 1 to 3 MHz, as anon-limiting example. The flow meter 100 further includes processor 140to transmit an electromagnetic signal to the probe array 120 and toreceive a reflected electromagnetic signal from the probe array 120 formeasuring an impedance characteristic (e.g., complex permittivity, as anon-limiting example) of the multiphase mixture. In accordance withcertain embodiments of the invention, the processor 140 calculates thewater cut and the salinity of the multiphase mixture based on thecomplex permittivity of the multiphase mixture calculated from thereceived reflected signal, as will be discussed in more detail below.

Conventional water cut meters incorporating a single probe are only ableto measure a small subset of a cross-sectional area of a productionconduit, and therefore are unable to accurately measure the water cutand salinity of the multiphase mixture, especially mixtures having ahigh salinity concentration. In order to overcome this deficiency ofconventional water cut meters, the flow meter 100, according to variousembodiments of the invention, includes the plurality of coaxial probes130 being connected in parallel. The parallel configuration for theplurality of coaxial probes 130 enables the flow meter 100 to determinethe complex permittivity for the multiphase mixture across the entirecross-sectional area of the conduit 110 as a single parameter, therebyminimizing the need for a parallel driver and processing electronics foreach coaxial probe 130. By eliminating additional drivers and processingelectronics, the probe array 120 and the plurality of coaxial probes 130of the flow meter 100 can be incorporated as an in-line device in theconduit 110.

In order to measure the water cut and salinity of a multiphase mixturehaving a high salinity concentration, the processor 140, according to anembodiment of the invention, operates at a single high frequency range,for example, 1 to 3 gigahertz (GHz), as a non-limiting example, so thatthe salinity signal (i.e., conductivity loss) does not inhibit the watercut signal (i.e., capacitance). Using the signal transmitted to theprobe array 120 and the reflected signal received from the probe array120, the processor 140 determines the water cut and salinity of themultiphase mixture across a cross-sectional area of the conduit 110 bymeasuring a total reflected power from the probe array 120, thusproviding a complex permittivity or impedance of the mixture that addsup to a larger value than that measured by a conventional water cutmeter. This complex permittivity represents a function of the averagecomplex permittivity of the multiphase fluid present in front of eachcoaxial probe 130 across the entire cross-sectional area of the conduit110.

In accordance with an embodiment of the invention, the real part orcomponent of the complex permittivity (which is related to capacitance)varies as a function of a water-oil ratio, while the imaginary part orcomponent of the complex permittivity (which is related to conductivity)varies as a function of the amount of mobile salt ions within the water.According to various embodiments, the processor 140 calculates thecapacitance and the conductivity of the multiphase mixture based on thereal component and the imaginary component, respectively, of the singlecomplex permittivity of the multiphase mixture. The processor 140further determines the water cut and salinity of the multiphase mixturebased on the calculated capacitance and conductivity values for themultiphase mixture. In accordance with an embodiment of the invention,the capacitance and the conductivity represent an average capacitanceand an average conductivity, respectively, of the multiphase mixturemeasured by the plurality of coaxial probes 130.

In accordance with certain embodiments of the invention, the complexpermittivity can be represented by frequency, temperature, and salinitydependent models as described in any of the following non-patentliterature: (1) A. P. Stogryn, et al., “The Microwave DielectricProperties of Sea and Fresh Water,” Gen Corp Aerojet, Azusa, C A (1995);(2) T. Meissner and F. J. Wentz, “The Complex Dielectric Constant ofPure and Sea Water from Microwave Satellite Observations,” IEEE Trans.On Geosc. And Rem. Sens. 42(9) (2004), pp. 1836-1849; or (3) R. Somarajuand J. Trumpf, “Frequency, Temperature, and Salinity Variation of thePermittivity of Seawater,” IEEE Trans. On Ant. And Prop. 54(11) (2006).

For example, for a capacitor model, the capacitance of a parallel platecapacitor of area A and separation d with saline water at temperature Tand salinity S may be represented by equation (1):

$\begin{matrix}{{C\left( {f,T,S} \right)} = {2{\pi ɛ}_{0}{K\left( {f,T,S} \right)}\frac{A}{d}}} & (1)\end{matrix}$

The complex impedance of the parallel plate capacitor may be representedby equation (3):

$\begin{matrix}{X = {\frac{1}{i\; 2\pi \; {f\left( {f,T,S} \right)}} = {a + {ib}}}} & (2)\end{matrix}$

where a is resistance which is related to the imaginary component of Kand b is a capacitance which is related to the real component of K.

Oil's permittivity is close to 1 and has zero conductivity (σ=0), so inan oil-water mixture the capacitance, b, is a measure of the amount ofwater present and the conductivity is a measure of the overallconductivity of the mixture, assuming that a is known.

FIG. 2 is a graph showing permittivity ration (bla) as a function ofincreasing frequency at a fixed temperature T=60° C. for salinitiesdetermined according to certain embodiments of the invention. FIG. 2illustrates that at low frequencies, the capacitance signal is verysmall relative to the salinity conductivity, resulting in a very smallbla ratio. The small bla ratio indicates that the measurement system(i.e., convention water cut meters) has insufficient dynamic range atlow frequency to determine b, and hence the water cut at high salinitylevels. This suggests that better results for determining water cut, aswell as salinity levels, of a multiphase mixture with high salinitylevels can be obtained by increasing the frequency above 1 GHz. However,at very high frequencies where f>3 GHz, the excitation frequency becomescomparable with the relaxation frequency of the water and sets an upperlimit to the measurement frequency of the flow meter according toembodiments of the invention.

In accordance with an embodiment of the invention, the processor 140, asshown in FIG. 1, further adjusts a propagation delay through the probearray 120 to facilitate the transmission and receipt of theelectromagnetic signals between the probe array 120 and the processor140. The processor 140 also measures scattering parameters (e.g.,S-parameters) in the received reflected signal.

Optionally, the conduit 110, as further shown in FIG. 1, is made of ametallic material, for example, a corrosion-resistant alloy, such as acarbon steel conduit coated with a corrosion inhibitor, as anon-limiting example.

Optionally, the conduit 110, as further shown in FIG. 1, includes a flowdiffuser (not shown) contained therein for controlling the flow of themultiphase mixture through the conduit 110 and across the probe array120 for sampling the multiphase mixture to determine, for example, thecomplex permittivity of the multiphase mixture across the entirecross-sectional area of the conduit 110. In accordance to someembodiments, the flow diffuser also homogenizes the multiphase mixturein the conduit 110.

As briefly noted above, various embodiments of the invention may includedifferent geometries for the probe array. FIG. 3 is a schematic diagramof a quad geometry flow meter including a quad geometry probe array formeasuring an impedance characteristic of a multiphase mixture flowingthrough a square-shaped conduit, in accordance with an embodiment of theinvention. In accordance with at least one embodiment, the quad geometryflow meter 300, as shown in FIG. 3, includes a quad geometry conduit 310to receive the multiphase mixture, and a quad geometry probe array 320to measure a cross-sectional area of the quad geometry conduit 310. Inaccordance with an embodiment of the invention, the quad geometry probearray 320 includes a plurality of quad geometry coaxial probes 330connected in parallel. As similarly discussed above for FIG. 1, eachquad geometry coaxial probe 330 has an open-ended or closed design andcan measure the dielectric properties of the multiphase mixture over arange of radio and microwave frequencies, for example, 1 to 3 MHz, as anon-limiting example.

In accordance with an embodiment of the invention, the quad geometryflow meter 300 further includes a quad geometry processor 340 totransmit an electromagnetic signal to the quad geometry probe array 320and to receive a reflected electromagnetic signal from the quad geometryprobe array 320 for measuring an impedance characteristic (e.g., complexpermittivity, as a non-limiting example) of the multiphase mixture. Inaccordance with certain embodiments of the invention, the quad geometryprocessor 340 calculates the water cut and the salinity of themultiphase mixture based on the complex permittivity of the multiphasemixture calculated from the received reflected signal, as discussedabove for FIG. 1.

Optionally, the conduit 310, as further shown in FIG. 3, includes a flowdiffuser 360 contained therein for controlling the flow of themultiphase mixture through the conduit 310 and across the probe array320 for sampling the multiphase mixture to determine, for example, thecomplex permittivity of the multiphase mixture across the entirecross-sectional area of the conduit 310. In accordance to someembodiments, the flow diffuser also homogenizes the multiphase mixturein the conduit 310.

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of another probe array flow meterincluding a multi-coaxial probed probe array for measuring an impedancecharacteristic of a multiphase mixture flowing through a cylindricalconduit, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. Inaccordance with an embodiment of the invention, each of the coaxialprobes 430 of the probe array flow meter 400 individually measures acomplex permittivity of the multiphase mixture, which is an averagevalue based on the relative amounts of water and oil within ameasurement area in front of each coaxial probe 430. Combining thecoaxial probes 430 together in parallel electrically generates a singlemeasured electromagnetic signal from which the overall averagepermittivity of the multiphase mixture across the entire cross-sectionalarea of the conduit 410 can be determined. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4,each coaxial probe 330, 430 has a small measurement area relative to thecross-sectional area of the conduits 310, 410, respectively. As furthershown in FIGS. 3 and 4, each of the probe arrays 320, 420 furtherincludes one or more separators 350, 450 (i.e., an insulator), forspacing each of the coaxial probes 330, 430 from one another across thecross-sectional area of the conduits 310, 410, respectively. Accordingto certain embodiments of the invention, each of the separators 350, 450spaces the coaxial probes 330, 430 across the cross-sectional area ofthe conduits 310, 410 based on a length scale of a multiphase phenomenonthat the probe arrays 320, 420 are measuring.

Optionally, the conduit 410, as further shown in FIG. 4, includes a flowdiffuser (not shown) contained therein for controlling the flow of themultiphase mixture through the conduit 410 and across the probe array420 for sampling the multiphase mixture to determine, for example, thecomplex permittivity of the multiphase mixture across the entirecross-sectional area of the conduit 410. In accordance to someembodiments, the flow diffuser also homogenizes the multiphase mixturein the conduit 410.

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of a probe-grounded flow meter including aprobe array for measuring an impedance characteristic of a multiphasemixture flowing through a conduit, in accordance with an embodiment ofthe invention. As shown in FIG. 5, the probe-grounded flow meter 500includes a conduit 510 to receive the multiphase mixture, and aprobe-grounded probe array 520 that measures a cross-sectional area ofthe conduit 510. The probe-grounded probe array 520 includes a pluralityof coaxial probes 530 connected in parallel. In accordance with certainembodiments of the invention, the probe-grounded flow meter 500 furtherincludes a probe-grounding processor 540 that grounds all but one of thecoaxial probes 530 in the probe-grounded probe array 520, transmits anelectromagnetic signal to the probe-grounded probe array 520, andreceives a reflected electromagnetic signal from the probe-groundedprobe array 520. The probe-grounding processor 540 transmits theelectromagnetic signal and receives the reflected electromagnetic signalusing a single channel between the probe-grounded probe array 520 andthe probe-grounding processor 540. Further, the probe-groundingprocessor 540 calculates the water cut and the salinity of themultiphase mixture based on a single complex permittivity of themultiphase mixture calculated from the received reflectedelectromagnetic signal of each non-grounded coaxial probe 530. Inaccordance with certain embodiments of the invention, the single complexpermittivity is an average of the complex permittivity of the multiphasemixture measured by each non-grounded coaxial probe 530.

Optionally, the probe-grounding processor 540 further performs aninterpolation between the complex permittivity of the multiphase mixturemeasured by each non-grounded coaxial probe 530 to generate a singlecontinuous function of complex permittivity throughout thecross-sectional area of the conduit 510. According to variousembodiments, the interpolation includes, for example, one of a linear orbilinear interpolation. One of ordinary skill in the art would haveunderstood that a determination of whether to use a linear or bilinearinterpolation is based on, for example, minimization of computationaloverhead, as a non-limiting example. As further shown in FIG. 5, theplurality of coaxial probes 530 is arranged in a two-dimensional plane,and is not necessarily aligned at right angles to the central axis ofthe conduit 510.

Optionally, the conduit 510, as further shown in FIG. 5, includes a flowdiffuser (not shown) contained therein for controlling the flow of themultiphase mixture through the conduit 510 and across the probe array520 for sampling the multiphase mixture to determine, for example, thecomplex permittivity of the multiphase mixture across the entirecross-sectional area of the conduit 510. In accordance to someembodiments, the flow diffuser also homogenizes the multiphase mixturein the conduit 510.

FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram of a single probe flow meter including asingle coaxial probe operating at two frequencies for measuring animpedance characteristic of a multiphase mixture, in accordance with anembodiment of the invention. In accordance with various embodiment,there is provided a single probe flow meter 600, which includes aconduit 610 to receive a mixture, and a single coaxial probe 620operating at a dual frequency of excitation to minimize conductivityloss relative to capacitance. The single coaxial probe 620 measures anaverage complex permittivity of the mixture from a first area A₁ infront of the single coaxial probe 620 at a first frequency f₁ and anaverage complex permittivity of the mixture from a second area A₂ infront of the single coaxial probe 620 at a second frequency f₂. Inaccordance with certain embodiments of the invention, the first area A₁is smaller than the second area A₂ and the first frequency f₁ is greaterthan the second frequency f₂, where the first and second frequenciesrange from 1 to 3 GHz. According to at least one embodiment, therespective sizes of the first area A₁ and the second area A₂ are basedon, for example, the flow conditions of the multiphase mixture throughthe conduit 610. The single probe flow meter 600 further includes asingle probe processor 640 that transmits an electromagnetic signal tothe single coaxial probe 620 and receives a reflected electromagneticsignal from the single coaxial probe 620 using a single channel. Thesingle probe processor 640 determines the presence of multiphase flow inthe mixture based on the complex permittivity measured at the first andsecond frequencies f₁, f₂. In particular, the single probe processor 640determines the presence of multiphase flow in the mixture by comparingthe complex permittivity measured at the first and second frequenciesf₁, f₂.

In accordance with certain embodiments of the invention, the singleprobe processor 640 normalizes the complex permittivity measured by thesingle coaxial probe 620 at the first and the second frequencies f₁, f₂with respect to systematic variance as a function of frequency. Forexample, the single probe processor 640 normalizes the complexpermittivity measured at the first and the second frequencies f₁, f₂ byseparating the real and imaginary components of each complexpermittivity and dividing one of the real and imaginary components bythe other, resulting in a real ratio and an imaginary ratio, which canbe monitored. Another example of how the single probe processor 640normalizes the complex permittivity measured at the first and the secondfrequencies f₁, f₂ is by calculating the magnitude of the complexpermittivity for each complex permittivity (i.e., taking the square rootof the sum of the squares of the real and imaginary components), anddividing each calculated magnitude by its respective complexpermittivity. One of ordinary skill in the art would have understoodthat other normalization methods could be used to normalize the complexpermittivity measured by the single coaxial probe 620 at the first andthe second frequencies f₁, f₂.

In accordance with an embodiment of the invention, the operation of thesingle coaxial probe 620 further includes at least one of an additionallow frequency modulation on top, for example, 20 kilohertz (kHz), as anon-limiting example, and the use of frequency modulation techniques tomeasure different areas of the mixture in front of the coaxial probe620.

Optionally, the single coaxial probe 620, according to an embodiment ofthe invention, measures the average complex permittivity of the mixtureby performing one or more frequency sweeps of excitation of an area orareas of the mixture to measure dispersion of the mixture as a functionof frequency. Assuming that the end of the coaxial probe operatessimilarly to a single slit in a diffraction experiment, the singlecoaxial probe 620 operates such that, as the wavelength of theexcitation is increased, the area being measured by the single coaxialprobe 620 scales with the wavelength (i.e., 1/f). Thus, frequency can beused to influence the area over the measurement so that the singlecoaxial probe 620 can measure a spatially averaged permittivity over adifferent area. Variations in the measured value can indicate anon-homogenous flow in the mixture (i.e., multiphase flow in themixture).

Optionally, the conduit 610, as further shown in FIG. 6, includes a flowdiffuser (not shown) contained therein for controlling the flow of themultiphase mixture through the conduit 610 and across the probe array620 for sampling the multiphase mixture to determine, for example, thecomplex permittivity of the multiphase mixture across the entirecross-sectional area of the conduit 610. In accordance to someembodiments, the flow diffuser also homogenizes the multiphase mixturein the conduit 610.

Embodiments of the invention provide non-obvious advantages overconventional multiphase flow meters. For example, some embodiments ofthe invention are directed to a multiphase flow meter operating at ahigh measurement frequency to minimize a salinity loss signal relativeto a water cut signal for measuring the water cut and salinity of amultiphase mixture having a high salinity concentration. Otherembodiments of the invention utilize the relationship betweenmeasurement frequency and probe range capabilities to detect multiphaseflows in a mixture. Certain embodiments incorporate frequency modulationtechniques to maximize signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) and to probedifferential permittivity in high salinity concentration, multiphasemixtures. Some embodiments provide a single coaxial probe to measurepermittivity properties of a fluid mixture rather than individual fluidtypes separately. Accordingly, embodiments of the invention providenon-obvious advantages over conventional flow meters by providing asensor device which is not sensitive to salinity changes in themultiphase mixture and which uses a single set of electronics todetermine the presence of multiphase flow in a mixture and to optimizearea coverage and dynamic range measurement of the water cut andsalinity of the multiphase mixture having a high salinity concentration.

The present invention may suitably comprise, consist or consistessentially of the elements disclosed and may be practiced in theabsence of an element not disclosed. For example, it can be recognizedby those skilled in the art that certain steps can be combined into asingle step.

Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used havethe same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in theart to which this invention belongs.

The singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” include plural referents, unlessthe context clearly dictates otherwise.

As used herein and in the appended claims, the words “comprise,” “has,”and “include” and all grammatical variations thereof are each intendedto have an open, non-limiting meaning that does not exclude additionalelements or steps.

“Optionally” means that the subsequently described event orcircumstances may or may not occur. The description includes instanceswhere the event or circumstance occurs and instances where it does notoccur. As used herein, terms such as “first” and “second” arearbitrarily assigned and are merely intended to differentiate betweentwo or more components of an apparatus. It is to be understood that thewords “first” and “second” serve no other purpose and are not part ofthe name or description of the component, nor do they necessarily definea relative location or position of the component. Furthermore, it is tobe understood that the mere use of the term “first” and “second” doesnot require that there be any “third” component, although thatpossibility is contemplated under the scope of the embodiments of thepresent invention.

Ranges may be expressed herein as from about one particular value,and/or to about another particular value. When such a range isexpressed, it is to be understood that another embodiment is from theone particular value and/or to the other particular value, along withall combinations within said range.

All publications mentioned are incorporated by reference to disclose anddescribe the methods or materials, or both, in connection with which thepublications are cited. The publications discussed are provided solelyfor their disclosure prior to the filing date of the presentapplication. Nothing is to be construed as an admission that theinvention is not entitled to antedate such publication by virtue ofprior invention. Further, the dates of publication provided may bedifferent from the actual publication dates, which may need to beindependently confirmed.

Although the present invention has been described in detail, it shouldbe understood that various changes, substitutions, and alterations canbe made hereupon without departing from the principle and scope of theinvention. Accordingly, the scope of the present invention should bedetermined by the following claims and their appropriate legalequivalents.

What is claimed is:
 1. A flow meter, comprising: a conduit configured toreceive a mixture; a coaxial probe configured to operate at a dualfrequency of excitation to minimize conductivity loss relative tocapacitance, wherein the coaxial probe is configured to measure anaverage complex permittivity of the mixture from a first area in frontof the coaxial probe at a first frequency and an average complexpermittivity of the mixture from a second area in front of the coaxialprobe at a second frequency, wherein the first area is smaller than thesecond area and the first frequency is greater than the secondfrequency; and a processor configured to transmit a signal to thecoaxial probe and to receive a reflected signal from the coaxial probeusing a single channel, wherein the processor is configured to determinethe presence of multiphase flow in the mixture based on the averagecomplex permittivity measured at the first and second frequencies. 2.The flow meter of claim 1, wherein the processor is further configuredto normalize the complex permittivity measured at the first and secondfrequencies with respect to systematic variance as a function offrequency.
 3. The flow meter of claim 1, wherein the processor isfurther configured to determine the presence of multiphase flow in themixture by comparing the complex permittivity measured at the first andsecond frequencies.
 4. The flow meter of claim 1, wherein the coaxialprobe is further configured to operate at frequencies ranging from 1 to3 gigahertz.
 5. The flow meter of claim 1, wherein the processor isfurther configured to adjust a propagation delay through the coaxialprobe.
 6. The flow meter of claim 1, wherein the dual frequencyoperation of the coaxial probe comprises at least one of a low frequencymodulation and a frequency demodulation to measure different areas ofthe mixture in front of the coaxial probe.
 7. A flow meter, comprising:a conduit configured to receive a mixture; a coaxial probe configured tomeasure an average complex permittivity of the mixture by performing afrequency sweep of excitation of an area of the mixture to measuredispersion of the mixture as a function of frequency; and a processorconfigured to transmit a signal to the coaxial probe and to receive areflected signal from the coaxial probe using a single channel, whereinthe processor is configured to determine the presence of multiphase flowin the mixture based on the average complex permittivity.
 8. A methodfor detecting multiphase flow in a mixture, the method comprising:receiving a mixture; measuring, using a coaxial probe, an averagecomplex permittivity of the mixture from a first area in front of thecoaxial probe at a first frequency and an average complex permittivityof the mixture from a second area in front of the coaxial probe at asecond frequency, wherein the first area is smaller than the second areaand the first frequency is greater than the second frequency;transmitting a signal to the coaxial probe; receiving a reflected signalfrom the coaxial probe; and determining, using a processor, the presenceof multiphase flow in the mixture based on the average complexpermittivity measured at the first and second frequencies, wherein thesignal is transmitted and the reflected signal is received using asingle channel between the coaxial probe and the processor.
 9. A methodfor detecting multiphase flow in a mixture, the method comprising:receiving a mixture; measuring, using a coaxial probe, an averagecomplex permittivity of the mixture by performing a frequency sweep ofexcitation of an area of the mixture to measure dispersion of themixture as a function of frequency; transmitting a signal to the coaxialprobe; receiving a reflected signal from the coaxial probe; anddetermining, using a processor, the presence of multiphase flow in themixture based on the average complex permittivity, wherein the signal istransmitted and the reflected signal is received using a single channelbetween the coaxial probe and the processor.